Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Lincoln studies me for a moment, his face hard. “Why didn’t you go to Slater?”
“Because Slater wants something I can’t give, and I don’t...I don’t like hurting people without cause.”
Lincoln’s face softens, just a little. “Nothin’ changes, then. You always were soft.”
I swallow. Anxiety is clawing at my chest like a snake coiling around my heart. I want to run, the urge is so strong I have to take a couple of deep breaths to stop myself having a complete breakdown. I’m terrified. While I don’t feel unsafe around Lincoln, I am still putting my trust into someone I don’t know.
And that’s scary.
“Can you help me?” I finally ask, after not being able to take Lincoln’s eyes taking me in for a second longer.
“You know we’re goin’ to help you, you’re family, even if you don’t know it. But can’t do it behind Slater’s back. Gotta know that. He’s been through hell, for ten fuckin’ years, didn’t even know my own brother during that time. He was...a shell. And I only just got him back. So, you understand I gotta involve him, even if it isn’t something you want.”
My chest tightens at the thought, and I immediately go to protest, but Lincoln puts up a hand and murmurs, “Don’t panic, I’m going to respect that you don’t need any added pressure in your life. I won’t let him bother you, I’ll make it very fuckin’ clear that he is to give you space while we help, but I do have to tell him, Ellie.”
I swallow, and then rub my face. I know I don’t have any choice in the matter. And if I want to be safe, I’m going to have to compromise. The idea of being in the hands of a monster again, means I’ll take the risk.
“Ellie?”
I turn, confused at the new voice that has entered the room. I didn’t even hear the door open. I look over to see a younger version of Lincoln and Slater standing in the doorway, staring at me like he’s just seen a ghost. Then, a huge smile breaks out on his face and he runs at me. I don’t get time to move before his arms wrap around me and he launches me into his arms, spinning me in a circle.
“I knew he’d found you, but part of me just didn’t fully believe it. But here you are. Oh God, ten years, ten years!”
He places me down and I launch backwards so fast I stumble. Lincoln’s arm darts out and catches mine, and the moment his fingers curl around my upper arm, I lose it. “Let me go!” I scream, tugging my arm so hard pain rips through it. Lincoln lets me go instantly, and I practically throw myself towards the door.
“Ellie,” he tries, and the new stranger stares at me like he’s completely confused.
“No, you k-k-k-know what? I don’t need help, I don’t.”
I can’t breathe.
I shouldn’t have come here.
It’s too much.
Too much.
The man who just walked in tries to step towards me, but I throw an arm up, “Leave me alone. I don’t know you! I don’t...”
“It’s me,” he says, almost hurt sounding, which makes me feel even worse. “Damon. Your best friend.”
My vision starts blurring.
I need to go.
I wasn’t ready for this.
I shouldn’t have come here.
“I have to go. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have c-c-c-come.”
My voice is stammering, there are tears running down my face, and I look crazy. I know I look crazy.
Hell, maybe I am.
Maybe I always will be.
I turn and run out of there, ignoring the way they call my name.
I shouldn’t have come.
I shouldn’t have.
~4~
THEN – SLATER
I walk inside the house, shoving the door open with a forceful grunt. Work was fucked. I’m fucked. Between working and spending a few nights fucking Tracey, the woman I’m sort of seeing, I haven’t been able to get any rest. Fuckin’ women. I ought to give her up and go back to casual fucking, was a heck of a lot easier. I toss my keys down and walks around the corner into the lounge and stop when I see Damon and Ellie sitting on the couch, laughing.
They stop when I walk in.
My eyes go to hers.
Hers go to mine.
And damned if my first instinct isn’t to lift her off the couch and throw her over my shoulder. Where I’d take her, is anyone’s guess. But I have no doubt it would involve a room, and my cock. She’s fuckin’ perfect, in every way that counts. And she’s pure. It’s written all over her face. Beauty, raw, untouched, beauty.
“Hey bro,” Damon says.
“Hey,” I mutter, dragging my eyes from Ellie and looking at him. “Where’s dad?”
Damon’s face goes a touch harder, and I fuckin’ hate that. I hate that slowly, dad’s drinking and the way we live, is eating away at his spirit. He’s the happiest out of all of us, the best without a doubt. But he’s starting to experience too much, shit I didn’t want him to have to experience. Tryin’ really fuckin’ hard to get us out of this mess, but right now, it’s a long and winding fuckin’ road.